𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗚 || ᴛᴀᴇᴋᴏᴏᴋ

• C H A P T E R 37 •

Yoongi, who had known Taehyung long enough to read every twitch in his brow and every clench in his jaw, could feel what was about to happen. And instead of stopping him, he simply sighed under his breath, muttering, "Oh no... this idiot's about to explode."

Meanwhile, Jungkook, still holding that cursed yellow flag with trembling fingers, blinked in confusion when Taehyung emerged from the crowd like a dark force of nature, his face flushed red not from the match but from pure, unfiltered rage. Before Jungkook could even open his mouth or ask what was happening, Taehyung's hand clamped firmly around his wrist.

"W–Wait, Taehyung—" Jungkook stammered, but the older boy didn't stop.

Without a single word, Taehyung dragged him away from the celebration, weaving through the crowd like he was on a mission, his grip tight, jaw clenched, every muscle in his arms twitching with restrained fury. No one noticed. The students were too busy celebrating the victory, the coaches too distracted handing out medals, the cameras too focused on the court. And before Jungkook knew it, they had reached the locker room, eerily quiet and empty.

The second the metal door swung shut behind them, Taehyung didn't wait. He shoved Jungkook gently but firmly against one of the lockers, both hands on either side of his head, caging him in like a predator finally cornering his prey.

His chest rose and fell in heavy, uneven breaths. His face was close, too close. Eyes narrowed into burning slits, the red of his flushed skin crawling up his neck and ears, and the veins along his arms and neck bulging as if barely containing the storm within him.

"Why the hell were you cheering for the Yellow Team?" he growled, his voice low, dangerous, and trembling not with weakness but with barely contained emotion.

Jungkook blinked rapidly, gulping hard as he tried to keep his voice from shaking. "It's my... my choice. I can cheer for anyone I want."

And that snapped something inside Taehyung.

Without another word, he crashed his lips onto Jungkook's in a bruising kiss one laced with frustration, jealousy, anger, and longing. His hand moved to Jungkook's waist, gripping tightly, pulling him close as if trying to merge their heartbeats through sheer force.

But as suddenly as it started, Taehyung pulled away, realization dawning on his face like cold water.

"I—I shouldn't have done that," he muttered, guilt flooding his eyes as he took a shaky step back. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to— I shouldn't—"

He turned, ready to leave, but Jungkook's hand shot forward, grabbing Taehyung's wrist.

"Don't go."

And before Taehyung could even respond, Jungkook pulled him in—this time with his own fierce urgency and kissed him again.

But this time, it wasn't rough.

It was deep. Emotional. Desperate. His hands slid up to Taehyung's collar, tugging him closer, pouring every hidden feeling he had buried for months into the kiss, as if trying to say: You may have hurt me, ignored me, made me cry... but I still want you.

Taehyung stood frozen, shocked, lips trembling as they moved in sync with Jungkook's, the fire in his chest consuming him entirely. And when they finally broke apart, foreheads pressed together, both boys panting, it was no longer about victory or flags or jealousy.

It was about the truth neither of them could run from anymore.

Jungkook stood there, his face flushed a deep shade of crimson, his eyes avoiding Taehyung's intense gaze. His lips trembled slightly, as if trying to process the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him. He bit his bottom lip hard, his teeth sinking into the soft flesh as he desperately tried to regain control over the sudden surge of feelings that had taken over him.